Christmas in Sydney is all sand and no snow.
While the typical snapshot of Christmas around the world has Santa braving snowstorms and impressively squeezing down chimneys, there’s simply no such thing as a white Christmas in Sydney. Visitors may not expect to see all the various Sydney Christmas traditions that have been become part of the city’s identity, but there are a few things that make Christmas in Sydney unique.
Instead of grabbing some egg-nog and walking the Christmas markets of Prague or wobbling on the iconic ice rink of New York City, we’re fighting crowds for the day’s best seafood to take home and alchemise into a lavish Christmas lunch, slip, slop, slapping in the scorching sun at one of Sydney’s best beaches, and climbing bridges to meet the big man himself.
Whether you’re just visiting or you’re a local looking to fill Xmas with nostalgia, the greatest gift of all, take note of all the Sydney Christmas editions that we hold near and dear to our hearts when the festive season washes ashore each year.
The best Sydney Christmas traditions
1. Run around the 36-hour seafood marathon at Sydney Fish Market
While turkey and chicken most definitely have their place at the table at every Sydney household for Christmas Day lunch, what really defines the city’s festive palate is top-shelf seafood. Fresh catches of the day, chunks of lobster and platters of beautiful Sydney Rock oysters adorn picnic tables and dining rooms all across the city, and it’s all thanks to Sydney Fish Market’s epic 36-hour seafood marathon.
Each year, the Sydney Fish Market hosts a 36-hour seafood marathon where its many retailers tirelessly shelf fresh seafood and other goods from 5am on Thursday, December 23 to 5pm on Christmas Eve. The tradition has attracted massive crowds for years now, with a one-stop-shop built from the city’s best produce. It’s not just seafood either, with a butcher, greengrocer, deli and gift shop on site.
Notably, this will be the last 36-hour seafood marathon at the current Sydney Fish Market before the highly touted new iteration opens just metres away in 2025.
Where: Sydney Fish Market; Corner Pyrmont Bridge Rd &, Bank St, Pyrmont NSW 2009
When: Thursday, December 23 – Friday, December 24; 5am – 5pm
2. Fight for a spot at Sydney’s best beaches on Christmas Day
Forget spending Christmas Day cooped up at home, where family love-ins typically disappear immediately after the last present is unwrapped. One of the most quintessential Sydney Christmas activities is simply a beach BBQ, taking advantage of our many pristine beaches by cooking up fresh seafood in the sun.
You’ll generally find Sydney’s best beaches shouldering capacity crowds with very little space to lay a blanket unless you’re quick on the draw. Bondi, Milk Beach, Manly Beach and Redleaf Beach are often the most popular, but if you want to avoid the crowds we suggest some more hidden beaches in Sydney like Store Beach in Manly, Lady Martins Beach in Point Piper and Washaway Beach near Clontarf.
Note that not all of these have BBQ facilities and, for those that do, you will want to reserve a spot as early as you can or arrive before the crowds start filing in. It gets busy, which just lends to the unforgettable festive atmosphere that truly sets Christmas in Sydney apart from the rest of the world.
3. Take the family to Carols by Candlelight
Sydneysiders tend to take the whole family to some of the best parks in Sydney to watch celebrated singers, choirs and celebrities slink into the Christmas spirit by singing epic carols by candlelight.
Not only is it a visual and audio spectacle (it’s impossible to feel like the grinch when you’ve got hundreds of people singing in unison) in places like The Domain and North Ryde Commons, but some are usually capped by dazzling fireworks displays as well.
Some of the best places top see Carols by the Candlelight are North Ryde Commons on the night of December 15, the Carols in the Domain on December 21 and the stunning Balmoral Carols in Mosman on December 7.
4. March to the lights of the Martin Place Christmas Tree
You’ll find the tallest Christmas tree in NSW at Martin Place right now. Standing at 25 metres with 800 branches and over 110,000 LED lights, the epic tree is Sydney’s signature Christmas installation each year and the best time to see it is on November 28.
Head along on the Thursday and you might hear sleigh bells creeping closer. Santa makes his way down to Martin Place each year, with a 90-piece marching band trailing behind him. It’s the closest thing Sydney gets to feeling like festive New Orleans, with a big, lively atmosphere and fireworks as the tree lights up from around 8:30pm.
Where: Martin Place, NSW 2000
When: Thursday, November 28; 8:30pm
5. Snap a selfie with the Christmas tree in Queen Victoria Building
The second tallest Christmas tree in the state rests inside the Queen Victoria Building, stretching across three floors of the heritage-listed building’s dramatic interior. Starting from the ground floor up, the beautifully decorated tree always makes the QVB seem much more magical, symbolising the innovation of Australia’s First Nations people with art installations and sounds of native birds cooing their signature songs.
Heading to QVB to admire the tree has become just as popular as seeing the Martin Place Christmas Tree each year so make sure you snap a selfie next time you’re browsing the building’s many boutiques.
Where: Queen Victoria Building; 455 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
When: From early November
6. Shop for gifts at the Carriageworks Christmas Market
While Sydney Seafood Market holds it down for fresh catches, Carriageworks Christmas Market is where most Sydneysiders go for just about everything else. Artisanal produce from some of the best suppliers in the state, beautiful handcrafted products from the city’s best makers and a beautifully festive atmosphere have stamped this market firmly into the city’s festive fabric.
There are over 100 stallholders that squeeze into Carriageworks for the one-day-only affair, kicking off at 8am and winding down at 3pm. Make sure to pop by fan favourites like Chocolate Artisan, The Gourmet Potato, Pocket City Farms and Indigiearth to help you curate the perfect Christmas Day.
Where: Carriageworks; 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
When: Saturday, December 21; 8am – 3pm
7. Watch the famous David Jones Christmas displays
Sydney may not have the widespread vibrancy that major US cities have come Christmas time, but it’s impossible not to be completely wrapped in festive cheer each time you walk past David Jones in the CBD. Head along to Market Street to see the annual David Jones Christmas displays, which fill the department stories big glass windows with elaborate scenes full of puppetry, lights and impressive design.
For 2024, the David Jones Christmas displays bring to life the story of A Very Wombat Christmas by Lachlan Creagh with more than 50 motorised puppets and narration by a David Jones staffer.
The best time to head along and see the display is between December 11 and Christmas Eve, when David Jones also host a choir inside the store each day.
Where: 86/108 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000
8. Meet Santa at the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge
From now until the Sunday before Christmas, anyone climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge with BridgeClimb will spot a familiar face when they reach the peak.
With Sydney busy getting into holiday mode, Santa has popped into the Harbour City a month earlier than his biggest shift of the year, waiting atop the iconic bridge for guests climbing to the summit before 11am. Not only will you get to snap a photo with the big man set against one of the world’s most impressive views, but you’ll also get a Santa hat to take home, a complimentary printed Santa photo (with every purchased photo package) and sing-a-long carols to get everyone in the mood once they’ve marched through the 1332-steps it takes to reach the top.
Want to do it for free? Head on over the Sydney Travel Guide’s competitions page where we are currently giving away a double pass for BridgeClimb, valued at over $770.
9. Gift the family a beach photoshoot with Santa
If you’re looking for something a bit different to do in Sydney for the Christmas holidays, hit up Santa On The Beach Pics and schedule in a family photoshoot with Santa on the beach. It beats the usual shopping mall centre, with five beaches across the Northern Beaches earmarked for professional photoshoots.
10. Drive around to see all the Christmas lights in Sydney
You’re only really scratching the surface of Christmas in Sydney if you stick to the CBD. Head out to residential areas like Kirawee and Mount Annan if really want to see a show, where the vibes are so festive that many of these spots feel like family-friendly block parties.
There are many homes around Sydney undertake the herculean of decking their houses out with dramatic displays of Christmas lights, some which are set to music. Sydney Travel Guide has listed some of the most endearing favourites so you’ve got a handy guide when you want drive the family around town in the lead-up to December 25.
11. Watch Sydney come alive with the Sydney to Hobart race
When you’re done digesting all that seafood and sprinkling sand from your clothes, rest up for Boxing Day’s biggest activity. Just like catching the Manly Ferry, watching the Sydney to Hobart race is the best way to remind yourself of the city’s storied beauty. The vista of dozens of white sails trailing the harbour is one of the most beautiful sights in Sydney each year, equally as iconic as the NYE fireworks over the harbour and the winter lights of Vivid Sydney.
The race has been steaming ahead since 1945 and is considered one of the nation’s most anticipated sporting events. It all starts near Nielsen Park on Sydney Harbour and ends all the way down in Hobart, a gruelling journey that’s undertaken by teams from Australia, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong Germany, Greece, New Zealand and more.
You’ll want to be across the best vantage points for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race before vying for a view. The most popular place to watch the race is from South Head at Watsons Bay but there are also great viewing spots at Cremorne Point, Bradleys Head and Cliffton Gardens.
If you’re really keen to feel like a part of the cinematic yacht race, you can also book a ticket to be a on a spectator boat on Sydney Harbour.
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